CARE Celebrates "Giving Tuesday" with Win-A-Trip Contest to See Poverty-Fighting Work

Humanitarian group also holds Donor Appreciation Telethon, releases video for new national day of giving

ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global poverty-fighting organization CARE is encouraging Americans to join the celebration Nov. 27 as it marks the first Giving Tuesday with a win-a-trip contest, a donor appreciation telethon and a video promoting an annual day of giving the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Between now and Giving Tuesday, CARE is challenging supporters to have their friends, family and social networking peers raise money to support CARE's work. The person who raises the most money under the contest rules* wins a trip to visit one of the 84 countries where CARE works and see firsthand how CARE's programs are lifting families out of poverty by empowering girls and women.

#GivingTuesday is a movement to create an annual, national day celebrating America's giving spirit and encouraging charitable giving during the holiday season. CARE is committed to helping Giving Tuesday enter the public consciousness as a new "Opening Day" for the traditional year-end charitable giving season, just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off the holiday shopping season.

"Supporting CARE probably isn't on many Black Friday shopping lists, and it might not be top of mind on Cyber Monday either," said Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. "But that's exactly why on Giving Tuesday, in the tradition of American generosity, we're asking people to help the world's poorest communities lift themselves out of poverty."

In addition to the contest, CARE's Giving Tuesday activities include:

A Donor Appreciation Telethon: On Giving Tuesday, CARE will hold a Donor Appreciation Telethon at its Atlanta headquarters. CARE staff will gather together in a phone bank and call CARE donors to thank them for the generous donations they've already made.

CARE Birthday Party: Nov. 27 isn't just the first-ever Giving Tuesday. It's CARE's birthday! CARE was founded on Tuesday Nov. 27, 1945 as a way for Americans to send packages of food and supplies to war-torn Europe. The CARE Package grew into a global icon of American generosity, and CARE believes Giving Tuesday can, too. We're celebrating both with a party at our Atlanta headquarters and regional offices, focusing on CARE's impact past and present.

Gap's Give Twice Gift Card. This holiday season CARE is honored that Gap is donating 2 percent of gift card purchases to CARE, benefiting our work with women around the world. CARE and Gap have worked for years on the Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. program, which gives women in factories critical life skills and education to better themselves and their families. To learn more about the gift card that gives back, stop by a Gap store or visit: www.gap.com/givetwice.

Giving Tuesday Video. Those seeking deeper meaning in the wake of Thanksgiving and the shopping frenzy that follows might gain inspiration from CARE's #GivingTuesday video.

Jill Gordon, a longtime CARE supporter from Chicago, will be among those making a gift to CARE on Giving Tuesday. She's hoping to do so in communion with thousands of others who will support their favorite charity, do volunteer work or simply think about the best ways to give with impact. "Giving Tuesday is a great time to reflect and learn about the needs we see around the world, figure out what causes matter to you most and give a little more than you might otherwise," Gordon said.

About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year CARE worked in 84 countries and reached 122 million people around the world. To learn more, visit www.care.org.